Benjamin d



(No Model.)

B. D, EATGN.

FRUIT PIGKER.

No. 359,777. Patented M61222, 1887. v

UNITED STATES PATENT Urricn.

Bl lNJAMIN D. EATON, OF JOHNSTOlVN, NElV YORK.

FRUIT-PICKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,777, dated March 22, 1887.

Applicaiion filed December 16, 1884. Renewed August 25, 1886. Serial No. 211,868. (No rnodel.l

T0 IZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN D. EATON, a citizen of the United States, residing at J ohnstown, in the county of Fulton and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Pickers, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to fruit-pickers, and has for its object to provide a device which may be cheaply made, will be durable and eliicient, and light, so it may be easily manipulated.

It consists, essentially, in constructing the pocket of a continuous wirenetting, having in one side, near its top, a lateral opening fashioned to fit over the fruit, and provided in its top with a narrow slot gradually widening out into the lateral opening.

It consists, further, in the conibination,with

the pocket having the lateral opening and f provided with the slot in its top communicating with and gradually widening into the lateral opening, of the jaw hinged to the lower wall of the opening and capable of being turned up over the same.

It consists, further, in the general construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

in the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side view of my picker, with the position of the jaws when closed and that of the other parts indicated in dotted lines; and Fig. 2 is a detail plan view of the top of the pocket or receiver.

The pocket A is made of wire-netting, and of a suitable size to hold several peaches, pears, apples, or like fruit. By making my device of wire-netting I secure at the same time lightness, cheapness, and durability,and also furnish a pocket the contents of which may be seen from allsides, so that it can be determined with certainty when it is filled. It is manifest that the pocket might be made of wire network, with various means for knocking the fruit therein ,without departing from the broad principles of my invention; but I prefer to employ the construction which I will now describe.

The pocket A is provided on one side, near its top, with an opening, B, which allows the pocket to be extended over a peach, apple, or pear. In the top of the pocket is formed a narrow slot, G, fitted to receive the stern of the fruit, the outer end of this slot 0 cornmunicatiug with the opening B, gradually widening thereinto at D D, as shown in Fig. 2. The pocket is provided with a socket, E, or other suitable means by which it maybe secured on a rod or pole in the operation of the device.

By the described construction the device may be operated as follows: The pocket may be adjusted over an apple or pear, which enters opening B, and its stem be guided by inclined sides D into the slot 0, when, by slightly depressing the pocket, the fruit will be picked and dropped therein. It is preferred, however, to use the jaw F, hinged at to the pocket at the bottom of opening B, and fitted to close the said opening when turned on its hinges up over the said opening, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 1. This jaw is provided at or near its hinged edge with a crank-arm, G, which extends rearward along the outer side of the pocket, and has the cord H attached to its extremity, as shown. A retracting-spring, I, connects the jaw with the pocket and operates to hold the jaw normally open. In operation the gate is closed by a cord or rod, H, and crank G, and opened by the retractingspring I.

It will be manifest that numerous ways may be designed for actuating the j aw--as, for instance, a cord connected with the swinging edge of the jaw and carried over the top of the pocket; but I prefer to use the construction as shown, as the crank gives'the jaw a quick positive motion, and the jawoperating parts are out of the way of the opening B, and do not interfere with the free entrance of the fruit thereinto. By this jaw the fruit may be guided with more certainty into the opening B with its stein in proper position for plucking, and the fruit cannot by any possibility drop out of the pocket as it is picked from the branch.

I claim- The herein-described fruitpicker, consisting of the pocket fashioned of open wire-net- I, all arranged and adapted for use substanting, and provided on one side with opening tially as and for the purposes specified. rc B and in its top with slot 0, widening into In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in said opening, the jaw hinged to the pocket presence of two witnesses.

at the bottom of opening B and adapted to BENJAMIN D EATON. be turned up over said opening, and provided Vitnesses: with a crank-arm, G, extended along the out- HENRY W. THORNE,

side of the pocket, and the retracting-spring, HARWOOD DUDLEY. 

